Changes in soil quality after converting <i>Pinus</i> to <i>Eucalyptus</i> plantations in southern China

Abstract

Abstract. Vegetation plays a key role in maintaining soil quality, but long-term changes in soil quality due to plant species change and successive planting are rarely reported. Using the space-for-time substitution method, adjacent plantations of Pinus and first, second, third and fourth generations of Eucalyptus in Guangxi, China were used to study changes in soil quality caused by converting Pinus to Eucalyptus and successive Eucalyptus planting. Soil chemical and biological properties were measured and a soil quality index was calculated using principal component analysis. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, cellobiosidase, phenol oxidase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase activities were significantly lower in the first and second generations of Eucalyptus plantations compared with Pinus plantation, but they were significantly higher in the third and fourth generations than in the first and second generations and significantly lower than in Pinus plantation. Soil total and available potassium were significantly lower in Eucalyptus plantations (1.8-2.5 g kg −1 and 26-66 mg kg −1 ) compared to the Pinus plantation (14.3 g kg −1 and 92 mg kg −1 ), but total phosphorus was significantly higher in Eucalyptus plantations (0.9-1.1 g kg −1 ) compared to the Pinus plantation (0.4 g kg −1 ). As an integrated indicator, soil quality index was highest in the Pinus plantation (0.92) and lowest in the first and second generations of Eucalyptus plantations (0.24 and 0.13). Soil quality index in the third and fourth generations (0.36 and 0.38) was between that in Pinus plantation and in first and second generations of Eucalyptus plantations. Changing tree species, reclamation and fertilization may have contributed to the change observed in soil quality during conversion of Pinus to Eucalyptus and successive Eucalyptus planting. Litter retention, keeping understorey coverage, and reducing soil disturbance during logging and subsequent establishment of the next rotation should be considered to help improving soil quality.

Influence of humic acid applications on modulus of rupture, aggregate stability, electrical conductivity, carbon and nitrogen content of a crusting problem soil

“…Soil degradation caused by which may have led to a reduction in soil organic matter decomposition, soil erosion and nutrient leaching. The decreased soil erosion risk, nutrient leaching an organic matter decomposition rate helped in improving soil quality (Zhang et al, 2015). Similar positive effects were recorded with various forms of organic matter addition (Özdemir, 2002;Şeker, 2003).…”

Effects of pumice mining on soil quality

“…In these soils a loss of up to 60 % is observed. These results are similar to the study by de Souza et al (2013) and Zhang et al (2015) in forest soils. The quantity of organic matter (C and N) and rates of microbial C mineralization to CO 2 (respiration) were recovered with age in mining soil.…”

“…The establishment of multiparametric indices has been used as an adequate tool for integrating greater information of soil quality. It provides a more holistic measurement of soil quality (Brevik et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2015). Several studies have generated indices from a data set using physical, chemical and biological indicators.…”

Assessment of environmental soil quality around Sonepur Bazari mine of Raniganj coalfield, India

“…(Keesstra et al, 2009;Keesstra, 2007;Das et al, 2014; Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. et al, 2015), and eventually soil quality, depending on the plant species (Zhang et al, 2015).…”